General Election 2015

Fearing an October surprise, we discover a candidate lives here

This election, like any other, could see its fill of well-timed
surprises. We tried to avoid one recently and might have prevented
it all together. In the end it might never have happened,
because there doesn’t seem to be much reason to launch a residency
challenge of Republican Michelle Caldier.

Caldier is running to unseat state Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig
Harbor, in the 26th District.

Looking into candidates is something we should do as a matter of
course, but we don’t find everything. We check court records,
including the bankruptcy courts. We don’t hire private
investigators. A candidate’s opposition sometimes does. They’re
free to spend the money.

Part of my motivation goes back to 2004. Sherry Appleton, who
has represented the 23rd District since then, was running against
two Republicans, back when Washington primaries meant picking one
candidate from each party. Frank Mahaffay beat Paulette DeGard
for the Republican spot on the ballot. It was in October that I
learned of Mahaffay’s court-verified financial issues. Because
it was so late in the election season Scott Ware, then the editor,
and I debated whether to include the problem in the election
profile. In the end we decided we couldn’t leave it out. Appleton
won by a large margin, so I don’t think that one piece of
information ruined it for the Mahaffay, but I wished I had found it
before the primary.

I learned of Mahaffay’s financial issue through a tip.
Since then I have found some things ahead of the partisan tipsters,
one candidate’s two bankruptcies, for example. Still, political
parties are working hard to find any indiscretion they can. No
doubt we will get emails from people doing opposition research. It
was an email from an oppo researcher that informed me of auditor
candidate Kelly Emerson’s recent employment as
commissioner in Island County. I don’t mind investigating the stuff
sent to me by the studious partisan operatives, but the more we
rely on them the bigger the chance that they will sit on an issue
waiting for the most opportunistic timing to lob a bomb.

With Michelle Caldier I did wait a while to see if someone would
publicly ask the question how a Kenmore dentist came to seek
election in a district that is miles from either of the 26th
District’s book-end bridges. I gave the operatives some time to
speak up. After all, the primary between Seaquist and Caldier will
be little more than a straw poll. There are other races with more
on the line in August. Eventually, though, I gave in to my
question.

Using basic Internet skills I found two addresses for Caldier,
one in Kenmore and another in Port Orchard. Searching county
records the Kenmore property was still listed in her name. The Port
Orchard property was not. Moreover the Kenmore property had four
bedrooms while the Port Orchard place had one. I then contacted the
Kitsap County Elections office to find out when she had registered
to vote here. It was in November. I then found evidence that
she had sold her home in Kenmore in May. Pictures of the home on a
real estate listing looked to me that the house had been staged to
present well for potential buyers, that it was unlikely someone had
been living there too recently.

That was the information I had when I called Caldier and
asked when she moved here. She responded that she would like to
meet with me in person. I was a bit frustrated that she wouldn’t
just deliver an immediate answer, but after asking again and
getting the same response, I agreed. She came in the next morning
with Chris Tibbs, Kitsap County Republican Party chairman. He took
the blame for her reluctance to speak on the phone, saying he had
coached the candidates, the first-time candidates anyway, to
request a sit-down meeting.

The meeting itself was valuable and in the end I see no evidence
of a residency issue. I’ll provide more details about her
story later. She’s providing them, too. In short, she was
motivated in large part to consider running by work she did on
legislation in 2013. She grew up in Kitsap County, said she always
considered it home, but established her dental practice to have
enough business to serve the market she sought. For family reasons
she and her sisters have moved back here. Her dental practice is a
mobile one, stretching from Pierce to Skagit County. What’s
more, in May she took ownership of a house in Port Orchard
after renting a home or staying with family here since sometime
last year.

The question over Caldier’s residency was an easy one to form.
It came up for me from the moment she announced her candidacy.
Seaquist, for his part, said he hadn’t been too concerned
over it. But that doesn’t mean someone wouldn’t make an issue
of the residency based just on the question,
planting doubts late in the game.

If you have a question about any candidate, feel free to email
me at sgardner@kitsapsun.com and we might look into the issue that
makes you wonder. And do it as soon as you think about it. With
Washington’s three-week election window from when ballots go out
and when they get returned it’s even more important to avoid
October surprises. Let’s keep peace at hand, if you know what I
mean.

13 thoughts on “Fearing an October surprise, we discover a candidate lives here”

Speaking of residency-issue memory lane, I can remember the underwhelming coverage of the Josh Brown Kitsap Superior Court case where Mr. Brown was accused of failing to meet residency requirement for his run for Commissioner. I remember that data showing his electric use for months was equivalent to the refrigerator being opened on rare cases. Mr. Brown was the ultimate “Mr. Green.” Talk about a questionable residency case that actually went to court, that was Mr. Brown. Yes, he beat the rap but the fix was in. Check out the Sun’s lack of serious coverage if you want to get a fix on political coverage here in Kitsap.

I have had my issues with Representative Seaquist over the years. A whole lot of issues. However I do appreciate his positions and battles he chooses to wage when it comes to the complete cluster that is the Washington State Ferry System. I also appreciated his participation and comments at an education forum I attended earlier this year.

Thanks for posting this Steve.

When I heard that she was running I was encouraged that there would be a viable and supportable conservative candidate for this race. It concerns me greatly that Ms. Caldier is being so controlled and contained by Mr. Tibbs. Huge red flag. This entire instance makes her look like a puppet to be controlled by local Republican Party officials. Most of whom do not inspire confidence with voters outside of the core party loyalists and as it has been proven time and time again there are not enough core party loyalists living in Kitsap to pull off more than the rare and occasional Republican win.

Kitsap is a hard environment for Republicans to win seats. The typical party playbook does not work here and candidates that are being counseled to stick to that old, tired and out of date playbook are not going to come out on top. It is not just Ms. Caldier either, Ed Wolfe had better break out of the predictable soon or Linda Streissguith is going to beat him at Commissioner. She appears to be picking up far more momentum in conversations with middle of the road voters than he is right now.

I don’t blame you getting frustrated , but I totally understand the response you got . The Republican Party has seen a major improvement under the recent Chair and board members . Never seen so many good candidates also. Past history has showed some real destructive coverage of local republicans here by the media . Not an easy job filling positions from either party , not just the sacrifice individuals have to make , being spoken about as been here for instance is not always an easy thing for people who are not use to it . Having your motives and intention slanted in a way that alters the meaning or lessens the character of person is hard to take . Getting candidates to run for office , good or bad candidates , is not easy when the historical past has showed it to be an unpleasant experience and outcome .

Republican party has not always been dealt fairly by the media in Kitsap , basically except for KPBJ their is no advocate at all in explaining issues. The Sun’s Conservative local columnist speaks to mainly national news , to her credit has little to do with trumping local republican party advocacy . She is not in the loop as we say . And the KPBJ also has spoken to local republican party mistakes , more of an honest appraisal . Other wise the media has pretty much a slanted left with the commentators advocating for democratic party . I know of no person writing for any of the papers who is a conservative minded columnist that understands the over all concept of conservatism . Or is there any columnist that is trusted to be fair really . People like to claim an open mind then trash the republicans in this county . being a suburb of King County is not a conservative paradise .

Thought you were more fair then past political writers of the past , but I am not surprised the candidate you wanted info from was concerned how it would be reported . Their has been a lot of baggage the Sun carries from past columns and how articles have been reported on . Just remembering now how when Carl Johnson was running for Commissioner the political writer for the Sun came up with a long article speaking to his education credentials, made him sound like he was lying about it , this right before the election . That stuff is remembered .

May take a while , but for instance your beautiful commentaries of people who have passed on recently showed me two things , how politics can give an impression that some people who are so harsh, prejudiced even and cruel to some people and so much of a loving open minded protector from another point of view . There is so much projection involved with politics, the real person so often is lost in it all . .

Will take a while for the Sun to be trusted . may not be fair to you , but totally understandable . Keep up what your doing, you got potential . ;0)

Before blame is continued to be projected onto the current media coverage for instances that happened decades ago, maybe the local Republican Party needs to look to what exactly one of their executive party officers is doing while he holds office on the Bremerton City Council. Apparently the party does not desire to engage in oversight or have actual conversations with Council Member Mike Sullivan regarding his voting and decision making that completely subverts and goes directly against the party platform on many occasions. Most likely the rest of the local party leadership was not even aware of it going on.

Regarding Public Tax Dollars

Kitsap County Republican Platform:

“TAXATION
We accept the necessity for limited taxation in order for government to perform services that meet
essential public needs. We believe that taxes should be as low, simple, and as fair as possible.”

Subversion of $750,000 of TBD funds away from what was initially a certain amount of road repair/maintenance work promised to residents when it was established. Taxpayer residents who had previously voted down this additional tax by 70%. These were promises that may have been made by prior council members, but should have been offered some protection or defense by a current councilperson and member of the party that openly promotes standing up for taxpayers.

Kitsap Republican Executive Board Member and City Councilman/TBD Board Member Mike Sullivan voted YES to allow this subversion to proceed. He did not even bother to publically comment on it, when given the opportunity in a public meeting prior to the vote being taken, over what his own platform construes as a tax diversion violation.

There are more examples of complete lack of party platform adherence(s) by Mr. Sullivan via his publically recorded and documented council voting record that can be uncovered as he proudly wears is “Don’t Tread on Me pin”.

Actually I was not blaming anyone , the example I gave was when I was involved . Attempting to provide a reason for why Republicans in this county who are involved tend to see the media as something to deal with better . saying it is right or wrong is your or my opinion , but the fact remains the media is not trusted . Nation wise in general .

Had a great laugh once at a convention where the Chair was speaking in a serious tone about that faction of the delegation was here once again that attempts to divide , demonize , etc in regards to republican party . I was thinking the religious right ? Mainstream Republicans . He then looks over to where al the journalists are and yep the media is here again. The place arose with laughter , there were some Times and PI reporters there I recognized and their faces were scowling . It was funny , I am sure they felt insulted , but we all got it .

I also would go further in MY OPINION to state I do not know why the media is not “more” slanted to the left , I would say it is almost impossible today to have degree , especially in journalism and not come out of college with some strong stereotypes and beliefs . Our Universities are quite to he left , intolerant when it comes to sharing views , reading stories about Condi Rice being asked not to speak is just one example . 50 Years ago I would say media most likely to many on the left were heavily slanted to the right . The culture and especially academia started changing in the 60’s Colleen .

But another columnist attacking the republican party and bringing people in to get their wrath is common place Colleen . You just did it . One board member not supporting the Platform ? Or an aspect of it in your opinion . Molly Gosh … Perhaps you should consider asking the person yourself about these views , and also would be nice to have columnists who feel the need to make sure political parties are held accountable do so evenly . how much have we heard about the dissing from democrats of support for the newly appointed Commissioner ? When was the last time you dissed any democrat , or are they all robots who only believe in what the platform says and are obliged to vote that way even when in specific cases they may feel guided not to . Did you diss Patty lent when she goes against Republican platforms , the media and people applauded her open mind .

I have been on boards that share a diverse group of people , no time since I have been involved have I see a more diverse board then today . Moderate , conservative , Tea Party , Libertarian , Mainstream republican and even a member that goes back and forth . The chair is doing a great job . The results are being seen in elections and those elections that are non partisan .

The media is not seen as something to help . Wrongly or rightly that was being stated by me , not to cause Steve to feel as though he was personally responsible .

Walter Cronkite was quite a lefty , watching him I never knew his beliefs . I believe that aspect journalism is loosing its importance today , seen in FOX , CNN, and others .

Coming out and attacking a republican was bad form . It also causes people who read what you have to say with a view that you are biased instead . Which is unfortunate , you have a great zeal for writing , and are quite good explaining your point . But you writing tends to be pointing in one direction . Its anti republican .Your comments about the Bremerton Council member are taken with a grain of salt by me because of it . Your writing I applaud , your perception is slanted .

Mick, Of course my perception is slanted. I am an opinion writer. It is my opinion. This forum (Kitsap Sun) is not my published column.

I see that you are going after me personally and my writing style, which indicates an extremely weak position for you. However my original topic is the performance issues of an elected official who happens to be a Republican Party Executive Board Member.

Are you or have you not ever called into question the voting records of elected officals?

You seem to have an issue with “the calling out” of this elected official for not performing in a manner that supports either his party platform nor the platform that he ran on. I don’t see you defending his votes that have gone against what the local party is touting as standard operational fair for nearly all of their other candidates? In fact the vast majority of his votes and commented influences are completely in line with the council member that publically identified herself as the “Ultra Liberal”.

Blathering back to me on this blog is not the conversation you should be having. That conversation should be with Mr. Sullivan. Because right now it appears that the local party has no desire for oversight or influence over some of their candidates that get elected into an office. Kind of makes the standard Republican political propaganda coming in the form of printed/published election materials seem like empty promises to voters if the party not going to object when one of their elected is not performing in a manner that shows work or concern towards those promises.

For the record I also called Mayor Lent out on the very same example of the TBD funds for exactly the same reason I called Mr. Sullivan out. Wrote an entire column about it. She even called me at my home to personally object to my perception. You can ask her.

“Mick, Of course my perception is slanted. I am an opinion writer. It is my opinion. This forum (Kitsap Sun) is not my published column.”

Of course , and your known opinions indicate where your coming from .You are known to attack republicans personally, portray negative images of the party in general , claim to be conservative in aspects of your views and support democrats for most offices . . When writing on a political subject , you loose creditability with the side you oppose , gain favor with the side you support . The issue was Steve , not you . His frustration with being put off by a political candidate . I attempted to share my view it was not his fault but the bias of the media is seen to be so bad by republicans that their was concern how the story would be reported .

“I see that you are going after me personally and my writing style, which indicates an extremely weak position for you.”

I apologize for being of an inferior writing style . I often admit that , frustrates me . I was attempting to actually compliment your writing style , I thought I stated that . Its you bias that looses my interest .

“Are you or have you not ever called into question the voting records of elected officials?”

Of course , Reagan had some decisions when he was Governor and President . George Bush so much I left the republican party for a little while . I do it all the time . I support immigration reform , some issues I could be closer to democrats on . I am not in the Tea party , but they are really checking on everyone , Eric Cantor comes to mind . Bev Woods pulled a few votes that I did not understand , Zellinsky , and a few others . I wrote them .

“You seem to have an issue with “the calling out” of this elected official for not performing in a manner that supports either his party platform nor the platform that he ran on. ”

No I have an issue in how you do it . also apparently the one sided manner in how you do it . You attack people [personally and suggest a character flaw with those politicians . Comes off vicious . You also only give perceptions , negative assumptions like Tibbs was controlling this candidate . Just throw that out there with no knowledge , a negative perception .

“I don’t see you defending his votes that have gone against what the local party is touting as standard operational fair for nearly all of their other candidates? ”

No you don’t . I have no clue why your speaking to this . I heard this person a couple of times at a GOP meeting . I basically have no knowledge of him personally , only your rants about him . No one else has told me anything about this , only you seem to be concerned about it . As I am attempting to explain , you lost creditability with me and many others who believe your bias is so bad you lost your perspective here . The boy who cried wolf caused people to miss out when real things happened . The guy voted for a tax increase ? Your kidding right , this is a major issue with you . Sounds like you don’t like him personally . If there is something to it , I would perhaps be concerned just possibly something in how you promote your views causes many to ignore what you say because they find it un trustworthy . I am sorry if that hurts you , its the truth .

.”Blathering back to me on this blog is not the conversation you should be having.”

Oh

”
Kind of makes the standard Republican political propaganda coming in the form of printed/published election materials seem like empty promises to voters if the party not going to object when one of their elected is not performing in a manner that shows work or concern towards those promises.”

Wait a second , Steve was writing about being frustrated a candidate feeling she needed a witness to help prevent a biased news story .
You came in and said she was being controlled , then you attack some republican on a council for not being controlled , and you top it off with criticizing the republican party in general . All of this while suggesting my view that republicans are shown an unfair bias in the media is blathering and ill informed . Your kidding right ? Your so biased here Colleen you made my point for me .

“For the record I also called Mayor Lent out on the very same example of the TBD funds for exactly the same reason I called Mr. Sullivan out. Wrote an entire column about it. She even called me at my home to personally object to my perception. You can ask her.”

Well good for you , I stopped reading your columns after you personally went after some republicans who are actually my friends also . Have not made many political friends over the years , real friends . The kind you support and love personally as people even when you may disagree on a an issue . The kind that you love their hearts first . I over reacted and came at you , I apologized ,I moved on .

You joke that the republican party sees you in a negative way , not sure why you are so upset when republicans see your views as negative or bias . They don’t help republicans , you help democrats . That is called bias, media bias when it is found in journalist . Journalism gives people a platform that allows them to be heard by more of us , because your journalism gives you a higher noticeability your anti republican views gain more attention , regardless if you call them your private opinions .

I get it. And once again I am not a journalist. I am a published community columnist just like you are. You have a published blog here on the Kitsap Sun in which your opinion pieces appear. My opinion pieces also appear electronically as well as in print. The point you are attempting to make that there is a difference is invalidated by your own activities in exactly the same type of venue and by your published opinion contributions.

Number 1, My biggest crime in your eyes is calling an elected officials voting record out in public. According to you that kind of talk needs to be kept in private controlled groups, behind closed doors and hush, hush where it can’t be seen by voters looking to make decisions about overall party performance.

Number 2, How dare I vote a mixed party bag of both Republicans and Democrats and work with them on issues we agree on. Oh the horror of my behavior.

Number 3, Why won’t I quietly and simply accept the canned talking points about why Republicans can’t get elected in this region? That my actually exposing the problems out in the open and talking about them is SO unacceptable and “bad form”. I mean it’s not like its the publics business or anything since these are elected officials conducting the publics business? As a party the Republicans tout open government, transparency and accountability, but by God that does not mean anybody like me should actually apply those standards publically to Republican elected officials.

Instead I am receiving the mantra that you can’t do that to “us” only to Democrats. Sorry it does not work that way, Mick.

By the way, I intend on voting for more than one Republican in this next election based on their merits, voting/performance records and not because they are either “friends” or “Republicans” I most certainly don’t hate them at all as you are attempting to imply.

“You have a published blog here on the Kitsap Sun in which your opinion pieces appear. ”

This is true , not published though , and loosing you as a friend I think cut my readership by 50 percent . ;0)

“Number 1, My biggest crime in your eyes is calling an elected officials voting record out in public. ”

No not at all . That I would consider a contribution if you were doing that . Its the way you did it and the other baggage you used in bringing it . You are using his voting record to paint a brush for all republicans , a dysfunctional portrayed party in your eyes .

Last time we had a conversation year ago I believe ,a Jim Avery was mocking Reagan , the extremist views on life in the republican party and more . Just the typical trash republican talk you seem to enjoy . You did not even consider holding him accountable to the platform on life for instance . In fact you agreed with his comments . He had a reputation for putting down republicans in the courthouse . When I pointed out I had supported him and helped him get his campaign material through my unofficial Gop email tree, which was hooked up to other email trees. He denied it .I hate to call a person a liar , but he also forgot other events he attended that promoted his candidates through the GOP . His comments made me look to be a liar .

At one time I thought you at least considered my character better then that . Character does not change with political views . Two people of character can disagree on issues . Even so it is no wonder he is not running now , he claimed he had cut the payroll in his office , actually that was prescribed by budget , he had nothing to do with it except perhaps some management .

I use to try to have folks go to council meetings and believe they are important to be monitored . I wish I knew people who I could trust for honest evaluations . Have heard from someone else about this , and they agree more with you . Also was told in amanner that did not offend other people or attempt to portray others negatively . Big difference ! . You have as much say in the republican party as I . The chair is a great guy , an encourager , Mr Good will really . Just what the local GOP needs at this time , and despite your nay saying doing better .

“How dare I vote a mixed party bag of both Republicans and Democrats and work with them on issues we agree on. Oh the horror of my behavior.”

If that was what you were doing , but its not . You tried that on me , and obviously you were not concerned about working on issues unless you are agreed with .You issues all seem to be mostly effective for democrats . Community service is great , using it as a platform to destroy parts of the community is wrong . I never hear you complain about the democratic party .

” Why won’t I quietly and simply accept the canned talking points about why Republicans can’t get elected in this region?”

Who said , republicans do not get elected in this region . Jan Angel and others .Last election cycle we had many more republicans actually get elected then democrats . Speaking about school boards and non partisans . Was a great stat . good news ! Not your canned talking points at all . republicans know they have to try harder, solutions are not clichés. Spending less money is not actually a plot to hurt the poor . You might have missed that canned memo.

You don’t see the obstacles the GOP has , for someone working the issues you obviously seem to have missed some . You think it may be good to have some conservative minded people on boards ? There is an issue you may not notice , the commissioners select from their own slate . I see this in school districts to the court house . The left are not exactly the tolerant type that is portrayed . Not in this county anyway Unless you agree with them of course.

Sorry if I offended you , not exactly sure why the suggestion that a partisan somehow is not willing to work on issues . That somehow being convicted in your beliefs is a wrong thing , the lack of civility is the problem . Politics these days has no claim on civility , from the right , left , middle or those who say they are working on just the issues .

“Instead I am receiving the mantra that you can’t do that to “us” only to Democrats. Sorry it does not work that way, Mick.”

Not what I said . You brought this up out of the blue . Accused this candidate of taking marching orders, even included the local GOP into this as a negative , then used another person of not being controlled enough . Your not making sense to me . Your re inventing the plot Colleen.

“By the way, I intend on voting for more than one Republican in this next election based on their merits, voting/performance records and not because they are either “friends” or “Republicans” ”

I intend on voting for all republicans , I am a partisan . Believe we are in big trouble in this country , that our government and its over reach is hurting us . I don’t enjoy the fact if people disagree in politics they are portrayed as having a lack of character or motives are some how lacking integrity or whatever .

That’s what you seem to be doing . The friends you mentioned negatively I spoke to in the past were not elected officials , not even members of the republican party . I tend to like people and actually get along with them . But conservatives have usually two main themes , freedom and a high regard for Faith , religion . The people you work on issues with seem to mock one of those themes consistently . Its one of the reasons I did not join in your group . That I find ill mannered as least . Why people use electronic methods on their wall mocking others is wrong , but obviously you have not too many conservatives in your issue oriented group .

Mick, you are making this more and more personal instead of just sticking to the issues at hand. Also nothing you have posted has hurt or offended me in anyway that I see or feel.

You don’t like my approach. Lot’s of times I don’t like yours either.

We are not going to agree on the media coverage when it comes to conservative candidates. I do not see the bias that you do in the same manner you do. Issues that Republicans have with the coverage they receive has a lot more to do with the actions and decisions of the Republicans themselves than any outside influence from the reporter.

I see the action that Candidate Caldier took in the original story to avoid press “bias” that had not even occurred to be a foolish and weak move. It was extremely poor advice.

As an elected representative she is going to have to make decisions and recorded public statements on the fly under conditions that will be pressure filled, emotional, stressful and need an immediate decision. Can she do that? She has not proven that she can in this particular instance. She deliberately avoided a softball opportunity to prove that SHE can and wants to, while other candidates are out there proving that THEY can and will without all the Svengali drama. Which is a completely different animal from a party holding one of their own elected official accountable to their voting record.

Thank you for your responses. Glad I did not offend you , worry more about that actually then convincing you . The older I get seems politics becomes more of a bad habit .

I saw the reason Candidate Caldier hold off as a attempted response to a known problem among republicans. Wrong one , perhaps , I don’t know . Ask Josh Brown about the soft balls. No internet , furniture , food, in a house where the person was going to run for the highest office in the county ? Did you think him or Caldier are better ready ?

I have run for office , first time is the worse for anyone . Having your name being used as mud is not easy for most people . Being concerned about being run over by the media according to you is unnecessary .

The democratic party has organized groups that attack Jan Angel for one , dedicated just for that . I have seen another which gets no press either for another candidate . Chris Endresen had one against her , the Sun came out against it ,not for being against Chris , but with the tactics it was using . I remember I and many other active republicans wrote to Endresen and supported her . Not an easy thing , Chris was quite the political tiger. Bias is when the same happens from the other political side and the sudden silence . That is seen as bias , perhaps just a different editor ,. But being aware is not delusional Colleen .

II tend to tell people I see liberals more concerned about equality then freedom . I see freedom more important then equality . Media bias may portray either of those views supporting bigotry or attacking freedom , religious rights for example . Its the culture clash of our day . I am bias in my passion for liberty and freedom , seeing equality as outcomes from freedom . Many see equality as the first priority , I see it as important , but without freedom , equality will not last very long . That is a conservative world view .

As I said , because you are biased in media , does not mean you are not a of good character . But the issue of quality and freedom have different degrees of importance to you . Sometimes it makes you see people negatively. Certainly does to me . Supporting religious freedom is turned to being against women . Supporting equality gets turned into you not being concerned about being responsible or maybe even immoral .

Because you don’t see it is not proof it is not there. . Basically people also see no prejudice against people of color , gays or religious people for that matter . Till you walk in their shoes kind of hard to understand .

But again I will repeat , you took this story , blamed the local GOP with it , then turned on this guy in Bremerton . Thinking is this was all relevant somehow to the story and not showing a bias is amazing Colleen . I don’t expect to convince you . You guessed on everything , perhaps the story in Bremerton is correct , why bring it up here was just a reach . Had no logic behind it except to portray the local GOP as dysfunctional and I guess to you delusional also . Read the Reagan Diaries he speaks to media bias , has been a problem a long time .

It isn’t unusual for party leadership to coach or advise first time candidates. It would be more concerning if it didn’t. Mistakes or missteps will be made, some serious and others not. This falls in the latter category.

Asking for an in-person meeting might be a bit on the green side, but it’s an opportunity to connect and dispel unnecessary drama.

Thanks, Steve, for sharing the background on the Caldier residency ‘issue’, so that informed voting is encouraged and supported.